Hurricane Dockside Grill-Tavares — Restaurant in Tavares

We wanted to try a new place tonight, and Google showed me Hurricane Dockside in Tavares. It looked like our kind of place, and prices looked reasonable so I set my Google Maps and we were off.

Pulling into the parking lot, it looked like a more expensive place than I was expecting. I really liked that you walk along the deck between the building and the water, and enter near the back of the building. Even though it was a dark night, it was a welcoming experience.

First of all, this is a HUGE place! Inside seating is VERY Plentiful - there's even a second level. The inside dining area is well lit and open. And the outside seating is attractive and spacious as well.

I was in the mood for wings, but I can be a little picky about them, so I asked how they are prepared. You can have them done how you want, so I ordered mine grilled with a side of fries. My wife had the BLT Chicken Tacos. The wings were meaty, grilled nice and crispy, and flavorful. The bleu cheese was good, too. My wife was very pleased with the tacos. The serving size was very good, and she said they were very flavorful.

She did say the guac was not very fresh, and was not the most flavorful she has had (Pepe's in Clermont she said has better guac) but she will definitely replicate this order again in the future.

The service was excellent. They had plenty of employees on staff, and they were all pleasant and attentive. Additionally, they have live music on the weekends. This evening it was a lone singer with backing tracks (she performed a good selection of tunes we like). Apparently they have karaoke on Wednesday nights, too.

After we ate, we took a walk out on the dock. It was so peaceful. the dock is a very nice structure, in good condition, and is a great addition to the place (plus, you can dock your boat there when you're enjoying a day on the water)

In the end, we were very pleased with our first experience at Hurricane Dockside. We have another visit planned with friends Friday night! Based on our experience tonight, I could see us being...

Hurricane Dockside Grill - Tavares

Our recent visit to Hurricane Dockside Grill in Tavares was an exceptional dining experience. From the moment we arrived, the nautical-themed decor set the tone for a relaxing and enjoyable evening. The interior is beautifully designed, with plenty of attention to detail that truly immerses you in the waterfront vibe.

We chose to have dinner on the expansive patio, which is styled as a tiki bar overlooking the Dead River. The view is stunning, with the gentle waters of the channel connecting Lake Eustis and Lake Harris providing the perfect backdrop. The patio is well-equipped with numerous TVs for entertainment and even offers boat docking for those arriving by water. It's clear they’ve thought of everything to cater to both locals and visitors.

For dinner, my wife ordered the Honey Pecan Chicken Salad. The combination of fried chicken, honey-roasted pecans, bleu cheese, tomatoes, dried cranberries, and the honey lime dressing was a hit. Every bite was flavorful, and she particularly appreciated the balance of sweet and savory elements.

I opted for the Yuengling Beer-Battered Fish and Chips, and it was absolutely delicious. The haddock filet was perfectly fried with a batter that had an incredible depth of flavor. It paired wonderfully with the tartar sauce. My plate also came with natural-cut fries and hand-battered onion rings. While I loved the onion rings, I couldn’t help but wish they were coated with the same batter as the fish—it was just that good! That said, the sauce accompanying the onion rings had a delightful kick that complemented them well.

The staff was outstanding—super friendly and attentive, making sure our visit was nothing short of excellent. We also learned that the restaurant features live music on the weekends, which we’re excited to experience on a future visit.

Overall, Hurricane Dockside Grill offers a fantastic mix of great food, inviting ambiance, and stellar service. It’s a gem of a spot that we’ll definitely return to....

After reading some of the reviews for Hurricane I didn't even wanna come by. I just moved back to Florida after being gone for 12 years. One of my friends is like lets go find a place on the water to eat so we can watch the sea planes go by. We wound up at the Hurricane instead. I'm like I don't know. The reviews on this place were sketchy. Kinda hit or miss. So she talked me into trying it as she hadn't tried it either. Just goes to show you don't trust any review go and find out for yourself. All of my reviews are "honest" and either are a pat on the back for the place or maybe some constructive criticism for the place. Anyway Hurricane pleased me before I even walked in the place. Conveniently located on 441. Huge parking lot so plenty of parking. The tropical Florida vibe hits you as you approach the front door. Water comes right up the the restaurant. Don't feed the Alligator's sign appropriately placed along the water lol uuuggg Outdoor seating area is huge. Awesome Key West vibe going on. Plenty of fans outside if it gets to hot. Walk inside pleasantly greeted by the hostess. Allowed us to choose our seats/view which was kewl. Had a singer there for Lunch Sunday the 13th. Claudia was our server. She was great and attentive. Came back to see how everything was after a few minutes. (that's a sign of a great server right there!) lol Had suggestions and knowledge of the menu. My friend got fish and chips and I got the Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos... MMMMmmmmmmMMMM Margarita's were spot on. I mean the ambiance, the food, the staff all get 10 stars from me. I'll be back again and again. Don't listen to some of these bad reviews here or elsewhere. The bad review could be from a disgruntled employee or a competitor trying to make the business look bad. Hurricane was definitely a pleasant surprise. Great...